Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. pavement (n.) [peyv-muhnt] – a walkway on the side of the road
Example: People feel safer walking on the newly constructed
pavement.
2. prototype (n.) [proh-tuh-tahyp] – a working model
Example: The prototype convinced investors to mass market the
invention.
3. assess (v.) [uh-ses] – to evaluate
Example: Food needs to be assessed before they are sold in the
market.
4. durable (adj.) [door-uh-buhl] – capable of withstanding strong forces
Example: The shoes remained durable even after she used them
for mountain climbing.
5. cost-effective (adj.) [kawst-i-fek-tiv] – economical; profitable
Example: Using recycled materials is more cost-effective than
buying new ones.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
The 2012
London Olympics site will soon be lit with the power of human footsteps.
British
engineers are ready to showcase a pavement slab that
transforms energy from people’s footsteps into electricity. These pavement
slabs, called PaveGen, are set to be installed between the recently opened
Westfield Stratford City Mall, Europe’s largest urban mall, and London’s
Olympic Stadium.
The slabs
produce energy from the compression resulting from footsteps. The details of
the slab’s mechanism, however, remain confidential.
According
to Laurence Kemball-Cook, designer of the prototype model, the
invention operates through crowdsourcing, the act of putting together
small actions to produce greater results. Based on the estimated 30 million
mall customers next year, PavGen can provide energy for half of the mall’s
outdoor lightings.
The slabs
were initially tested in a school in Kent in southern England, where 1,100 kids
walked on them over the course of eight months. Its effectiveness was
also assessed in a big festival, where 250,000 footsteps
generated enough energy to charge 10,000 cellphones.
The slabs
made from recycled rubber are durable and easy to install. However,
Kemball-Cook admits that its commercial success will depend on how cost-effective it
will be to produce on a large scale.
With
their innovative solution to energy problems, the makers received awards in the
Big Idea category at the UK's Ethical Business Awards and the Shell LiveWire
Grand Ideas Award.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of using natural sources of energy?
·
Do you prefer natural sources of
energy? Why or why not?
Discussion B
·
Do you think PaveGen should be used
by places with no electricity? Is it economical? Why?
·
What can be alternative energy
sources for places with no electricity?